I've been playing EA NHL since NHL92. I am not the most skill but I think I know a thing or two about hockey. The CPU will go ape sh*t on you from time to time and they are unstoppable. They will pass the puck like they are the Sedin brothers on steroids while to dragging you. When that happen, you can't be aggressive and put pressure on the CPU because he will punish you. You almost have to play zone defense and wait for them to shoot and go for the rebound.
in the meantime, if you are in their zone and you are cycling the puck, they are on you like glue. They are very aggressive on the puck carrier. The second they are next to you, watch out of the perfect stick lift. They will go away with the puck clean.
I have tinker around with some sliders to tone down some of the over the top behavior. I left aggressiveness and CPU strategy to default but I am wondering If I should touch them. I know some of the OS guys have been complaining on how the CPU wasn't aggressive enough in the neutral zone and blue line. Its true but once you get in the offensive zone, its like they transform into Mr. Jekyll